Aldon Smith’s discipline? Baalke think it’s immiment; could be at least two games by Goodell’s new letter of the NFL law

General manager Trent Baalke expects the NFL to announce any discipline for 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith before Saturday at 1 p.m., at which time their 53-man roster must be set.

Smith would not count against that roster if he’s suspended for the start of the season, freeing up a spot for another player.

Smith met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell three weeks ago, and while the league has not announced any discipline yet for the 49ers’ outside linebacker, Goodell may have tipped his hand a bit Thursday.

In Goodell’s letter to NFL owners outlining the league’s strengthened stance on domestic violence and sexual assault, he also wrote about other infractions involving weapons offenses and drunken driving. Earlier this summer, Smith pleaded no contest to three counts of illegal weapons possession and two counts of drunken driving.

From Goodell’s letter:

“In addition to focusing on domestic violence and sexual assault, we will continue to maintain strong policies regarding weapons offenses. We are similarly working to strengthen our response to impaired driving.

“We have sought – unsuccessfully – for several years to obtain the NFLPA’s agreement to more stringent discipline for DUI, including mandatory deactivation for the game immediately following an arrest and a minimum two-game suspension for a first violation of law. We will continue to press our position on this issue in the hope of securing the union’s agreement.”

Reading into that, Smith would face at least a two-game suspension for his Sept. 20 drunken driving arrest. Goodell, however, is also expected to factor in Smith’s five-game absence last season when he voluntarily checked into a substance-abuse treatment center.

The 49ers are in Houston for the exhibition finale Thursday against the Texans.

Last month, Smith was sentenced by a Santa Clara County judge to 11 days on a sheriff’s work crew, three years probation and 235 hours of community service.

Most suspensions for personal-conduct violations have ranged between one and eight games since Goodell became commissioner in 2006. Prior to Smith’s ruling, Goodell recently drew widespread criticism for suspending Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice only two games after a domestic-violence incident.

In Goodell’s letter to owners Thursday, he apologized for not taking a harsher stance with Rice:

“We allowed our standards to fall below where they should be and lost an important opportunity to emphasize our strong stance on a critical issue and the effective programs we have in place. My disciplinary decision led the public to question our sincerity, our commitment, and whether we understood the toll that domestic violence inflicts on so many families. I take responsibility both for the decision and for ensuring that our actions in the future properly reflect our values. I didn’t get it right. Simply put, we have to do better. And we will.”

Goodell then stated that players will face a six-game suspension the first time they violate the Personal Conduct Policy regarding assault, battery, domestic violence or sexual assault that involve physical force, “with consideration given to mitigating factors, as well as a longer suspension when circumstances warrant.”

“Among the circumstances that would merit a more severe penalty would be a prior incident before joining the NFL, or violence involving a weapon, choking, repeated striking, or when the act is committed against a pregnant woman or in the presence of a child. A second offense will result in banishment from the NFL; while an individual may petition for reinstatement after one year, there will be no presumption or assurance that the petition will be granted. These disciplinary standards will apply to all NFL personnel.”

Smith, at least, will have the NFL Players Association to help make sure he’s treated fairly. In response to Goodell’s letter, the NFLPA issued a statement that read in part: “As we do in all disciplinary matters, if we believe that players’ due process rights are infringed upon during the course of discipline, we will assert and defend our members’ rights.”

Cam Inman

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Who know what Goodell will do. The only thing I see is him waiting to hand down the discipline so if Smith wants to appeal then it will keep him out of the later season games. It is a ploy and shows the true manipulative side of Goodell.

Hazmat13

I still say the NFL should just go with my idea.

Suspend him for 7 games. Then give him credit for the 5 games he missed attending rehab last season. That means he misses 2 games to start the year.

It does two things.
1) It shows a tough suspension but acknowledges his willingness to seek help.
2) It doesn’t keep him off the field this year longer than the girlfriend/wife beater.

Daniel Rangel

Hazmat13, I agree with your idea. However, I would put it at 8 games minus 5 game credit because Smith is a repeat offender.

Art Vandaleigh

It should be a 5 game suspension with the games he missed last season counting towards it plus a large fine. Aldon sought help for his addictions and voluntarily missed games to do so. That’s something no other player has ever done to my knowledge.

Willtalk

You might have a point. That does not bode well for the 49er’s. The Niners have never fared well when it came to the NFL’s interpretation and enforcement of rules.

Jack Bauer

I think two games is sufficient for Aldon. He volunteered to check into rehab and was not caught on video doing the crime.

ed

volunteered? it was either that or get hammered by the team and the public..plus he was paid his entire stint. His incident at LAX might have been alcohol influenced

ed

the games he missed, he was paid..he was never suspended

ed

the 5 games he missed, he was paid his full salary…

Art Vandaleigh

He voluntarily missed games to so he could seek treatment. How many other players have done that? A large fine should be expected.

Art Vandaleigh

Might have been? Sorry but “might have been” has no place in punishment discussions.

ed

i was being kind. read all news reports, LAPD Sergeant of Police is quoted as it appeared he had been drinking earlier in the day. If that is documented or she has been interviewed, then it shows a, he lied saying he was sober since rehab, and he relapsed, drinking again…grow up